Southampton Education School

Certificate in Education Post Compulsory Education & Training (PCET) with QTLS (2 yrs)

The Certificate in Education (PCET) is the main professional qualification for the Post-School sector, covering post-compulsory education and training. This is a two year, part-time course.

If you are already teaching, instructing and assisting learning in the PCET sector, or are hoping to do so shortly, you will stand to benefit from this course. It offers a valuable professional development programme designed for adult trainers in either public or private sector organisations. 

Course content covers both the practical and the analytical and managerial aspects of this field of work. It has been revised to meet the changing needs and demands of the sector. As a part-time course delivered in partnership with colleges in the region, it is designed to fit around your existing work schedule. 

To Apply

You should apply direct to your local participating college: details are on the right. Your place will be confirmed by the University of Southampton. You can obtain forms from the local college, or from the PCET office at the University of Southampton.

Accreditation

Recent revisions are fully consistent with the requirements of SVUK, OFSTED, Higher Education Academy (HEA), the Basic Skills Agency (BSA) and the QAA subject benchmarks for Education Studies. The course has received SVUK endorsement.

On successful completion of the Certificate in Education, trainers, tutors and teachers in the further education and skills sector, are able to register and become licensed practitioners through Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) and Associate Teacher Learning and Skills (ATLS) status. This licence will be conferred through a process of Professional Formation, defined in the 2007 Regulations as “the post-qualification process by which a teacher demonstrates through professional practice the ability to use effectively the skills and knowledge acquired whilst training to be a teacher and the capacity to meet the occupational standards required of a teacher”.

You will be able to gain Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK) approval, provided you also have the opportunity to teach or train for a minimum of 150 hours over the two year period.

Programme Structure

For programme contents, refer to the Learning and Teaching tab.

Within any one academic year, a partnership college may support Year 1 only, Year 2 only, or both years of the CertEd (PCET) programme.  The University itself supports both years at the Highfield Campus. You generally attend college for four hours on either one afternoon or one evening per week. See Learning and Teaching tab for more details.

Contacts

For more information, contact either your local college, or the PCET team at the University: phone 023 8059 3570

Course administration: PCET Office, phone 023 8059 3477.

Fees and funding

 As an indication the figure for 2010-11 for UK/EU students is £1,490.

Career opportunities

  • The CertEd (PCET) is the essential qualification for those with a teaching and/or training role, full or part time, in public or private sector organisations.

  • Suitable for trainers working in adult and community education, health and social services, armed forces, police and emergency services and similar settings.

  • Highly transferrable skills can lead to opportunities in other areas.

  • Further career advancement with our part-time BA (Hons) Education and Training (PCET)

Key facts

  • The University of Southampton is one of the UK’s leading research-driven universities and our tutors have many years experience at local, national and international levels. 

  • You will receive friendly support, guidance and high quality tuition from a group of dedicated and well qualified academics.

  • Inspections by both OFSTED and the Higher Education Quality Assurance Agency have identified our teaching, support and QA systems as being of the highest quality.

Typical entry requirements

GCSEs:

GCSEs or equivalent qualifications in Literacy and Numeracy at Level 2.

Accreditation of Prior Experience and Learning (APEL)

Applicants with substantial previous experience in lieu of formal qualifications may apply for that to be accredited. In the first instance you should contact your local Centre who will advise on both the process and cost.

Year 2 entry for experienced applicants

As a highly experienced applicant, you may be able to entrol directly on Year 2. You should check with your local provider: contacts are on the Overview tab.

Selection process:

Intake: Varies according to local provider
Average applicants per place: 0

We seek applications from all those who are teaching, instructing and assisting learning whether in public or private organisations in the PCET sector. In order to gain full LLUK approval you must have sufficient opportunity to teach or train for a minimum of 150 hours over the two year period of the course. You will also need to show evidence of your existing qualifications and these should include Literacy and Numeracy or their equivalents at Level 2. Experienced applicants may be able to enrol directly on Yr 2 if they meet certain criteria. Please check with your local provider to see if you qualify.

Visit our International Office website or the NARIC website for further information on qualifications.

Typical course content

In Year One you will concentrate on practical teaching and planning skills, development of teaching resources, and identifying and supporting the needs of individual students.

Year Two puts more emphasis upon research and critical analysis of teaching and learning activities, course planning, and the management of teaching in PCET.

There are 6 individual assignments in the first year and 5 in the second. Tasks are designed to help you develop skills and understanding in both your own subject specialist area as well as the wider context of PCET. Your teaching will be observed on a minimum of 5 occasions in Year 1 and 4 in Year 2. At least one observation every year will be by a subject specialist in your own area.

Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if s/he takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information can be found in the programme handbook (or other appropriate guide).

The new course has been mapped out against SVUK and other appropriate teaching standards and is presented and assessed in six key areas of study including Identification and Support of Learners’ Needs, Planning and Design, Delivery of Teaching and Learning, Assessment of Learning, Professional Practice and Evaluation, and Issues in Post Compulsory Education.

Assessment is entirely through coursework. There is no final examination.

As a student of the University of Southampton you are entitled to use our full range of resources, from the library with its wide range of on-line electronic journals and specialist publications to our sports and recreation facilities. If you are enrolled via a partner college, you will of course also have access to their facilities, in line with that college's policies. 

Where can I attend?

Details are for 2010-11. You should check with the individual college for planned dates and times for 2011-12.

University of Southampton (Years 1 & 2)

Tel: 023 8059 3477

  • Year 1 Thursday 13:30 - 17:30 Highfield
  • Year 2 Monday 17:00-21:00 Cosham
  • Year 2 Tuesday 13:30 - 17:30 Highfield
  • Year 2 Wednesday 17:00-21:00 Highfield

The Bournemouth and Poole College (Years 1 & 2)

Tel: 01202 205964

Contact the centre directly for details.

The Isle of Wight College (Year 1 & 2)

Tel: 01983 526631

  • Year 1 Wed 13:00-17:00
  • Year 2 Wed 17:00-21:00

Sparsholt College (Andover) (Years 1 & 2)

Tel: 01264 360090 or 01264 360107

  • Year 1 Tuesday 17:00-21:00
  • Year 2 Monday 17:00-21:00

Totton College (Year 1)

Tel: 023 8087 4874 ext 897

  • Year 1 Wednesday 14:00-18:00

Alton College (Year 2)

Tel: 01420 592200

  • Year 2 Monday 17:00-21:00.